Switch-operating mechanism.



J. A.v MOGROSKEY.

swI'roH OPERATING MEGHANISM.

` APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20, 1907'. 907,390.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

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UNITED srnrnsgnrlngrnnr orriion.

.TOI-IN A. MCOROSKEY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF IOTHOMAS W.

WADE, OF GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 190s.

Application filed August 20, 1907. Serial No. 389,420.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. McORosKEY, minister, and a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Greene andState of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in switch operating mechanism,comprehending specifically the mechanism to be mounted on a car platformand adapted for operation by the motorman for properly setting theswitch without the necessity of stopping the travel of the car for thispurose.

p The main object of the present invention is the provision of a switchoperating apparatus so constructed as to permit the motorman to actuatethe same initially with the effect to depress the setting block intoengagement with the switch point and simultaneously turn the block toinitially move said point, the construction further permitting anindependent lateral movement of the mechanism to initially arrange theapparatus for the setting of the switch.

The invention will be described in the following specilication,reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:-

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, illustrating the application of myimprovement to a car structure, Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectionthrough the apparatus, showing the same in position on a car platform,Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same, the main frame being shown insection, Fig. 4 is applan showing the a plication of the improvement tothe car atform, Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2,Fig. is a side elevation of the setting head of the apparatus.

Referring articularly to the drawings, my improved3 apparatus comprisesa ioor plate l formed with a longitudinally disposed o ening 2 and setinto an appropriate recess fbrmed in the car platform 3. A main frame 4is arranged beneath the platform, said frame including end bars 5 whichare projected through the platform and floor plate and secured beyondthe u per surface of the latter by a nut. The end ars are connected bycross struts 6, and by stringers 7 which are of approximately triangularform in cross section to provide tracks, for a purlpose `which willpresently appear.

The main frame is thus operated beneath the platform in a substantialmanner and may if desired be braced by diagonal braces 8 secured to theplatform and cross struts.

Mounted for movement in the main frame is a carriage 9 which comprisesupper and lower plates 10 connected by suitable frame bars and carryinggrooved wheels 11 adapted -for travel on the tracks` 7, the wheels beingarranged to travel above and below the respective sets of tracks, thatis bearing on the lower tracks and upward against the upper tracks, sothat the carriage is readily movable and properly guided duringmovement. Secured in the carriage is a cylindrical casing I2, the upperend of which projects above the carriage and through an elongated way oropening 13 in the car platform and through the opening 2 in the floorplate. The casing l2 is preferably secured to the carriage through themedium of fixed collars 14 above and below the respective plates 10, andthe upper end of the casing at diametrically opposite points is providedwith foot latches 15 adapted to engage openings 16 in the floor platebeyond the opening 2, whereby the carrage may be secured at either limitof movement.

Within the casing l2 is mounted the operating rod 19 being looselydisposed within the casing with a disk head 18 for convenient operationby the foot of the motorman. The rod is normally held in Velevatedposition through the medium of a coil spring 19 which is terminallysecured at the lower en d to the rod and at the upper end to theinterior of the casing. The lower end of the operating rod projectsbelow the lower end of the casing and is provided with what I term asetting block 20, being in side elevation of approximately rectangularform with the sides curved slightly inward and downward and being oftriangular shape in transverse vertical section, as clearly shown inFig. 2. The block is normally dis osed so that its greatest length islongitudinally of the car, that is in alinement with the track, asillustrated in Fig. 1.

The operating rod near the lower end is formed with a longitudinallydisposed groove 21, which for a portion of its length extends directlylongitudinally of the rod, being at the upper end projected in aproXimate spiral arrangement, as at 22. he interior of the casing isprovided with a s'tu'd 23 carrying a roller 24 of a size to it in thegroove 2l, so that in the depression of the rod said roller, travelingin the groove will cause the rod to move directly downward in theinitial portion of its movement and then be partly turned through thetravel of the roller in the spiral portion of the groove.

In operation with the parts constructed and arranged as described themotorman on approaching the switch iirst observes to which rail (rightor left) its point is adjacent, then if need be he moves the mechanisminto a corresponding position by releasing the rear foot catch 15,pressing forward on the operating rod, moving the carriagelongitudinally of' the main frame until the front foot catch attaches,then he simply depresses the operating rod by placing his foot on thedisk 18, when over the switch.

Itis to be understood, ofcourse, that there is a switch settingmechanism mounted on each platform so that the switch may be controlledno matter what direction the car is traveling, it being obvious from theconstruction that the switch may be turned Without the necessity ofstopping the car or materially reducing its speed from the normal.After' use of the switch setting apparatus the motorman may lock thecarriage in either forward or rear position by engaging the proper footlatch with the opening and floor plate.

Having thus described theY invention what is claimed as new, is

1. The combination with a vehicle, of a carriage slidably movablethereon, a casing supported in the carriage, a rod movablelongitudinally of the casing, said rod formed with a groove, and a guidemember carried by the casing fitting in said groove.

2. The combination with a vehicle, of a carriage slidably movablethereon, a casing supported in the carriage, a rod movablelongitudinally of the casing, said rod formed with a groove, and a guidemember carried by the casing fitting in said groove, said groove beingpartly spiral to impart a rotary movement to the rod during operation.

In testimony whereof, I athx my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. MCCROSKEY.

Witnesses:

ALBERT S. COWDIN, CHAs. H. GREENE.

